Bristol City would get a favourable reception if they approached George Burley to succeed Gary Johnson as manager. Johnson left the club today, by mutual consent. City, who have won two of their last 12 games, are 15th in the Championship.

Burley, who was sacked as Scotland coach in November, having failed to achieve World Cup qualification, is keen to return to a division in which he has enjoyed success.

"Results haven't gone as well as everyone would have liked this season and it's been mutually agreed that now is the right time to make a change," said Steve Lansdown, City's chairman, who added that reports of dressing-room unrest had not hastened Johnson's departure.

"This was purely a football decision. We start now with a blank sheet of paper in looking for a new manager. There have been rumours that we have approached and spoken to people before now but that is not true. We start afresh now."

Burley's representatives are expected to be contacted. The current assistant manager, Keith Millen, will be in charge for Saturday's match against Newcastle United.

Johnson said: "You know when people stop laughing at your jokes it's time to leave. It has been a difficult couple of months and we've all been under pressure to try and sustain a challenge in what is a very, very difficult league. A lot of these lads have worked very hard to get this club to be a comfortable Championship club and I don't feel that people were giving them enough credit for that."

Burley reached the Championship play-offs with Ipswich Town, Derby County and Southampton and took Ipswich to fifth in the Premier League nine years ago.

No compensation would be due to another club for Burley's services. Burley has support in the City changing room, having coached Paul Hartley and Jamie McAllister at Hearts in 2005.

Gareth Southgate, Phil Brown, Steve Coppell and Alan Curbishley have also been linked to City by bookmakers. The Doncaster Rovers manager, Sean O'Driscoll, and Exeter City's Paul Tisdale have also been mentioned.

Johnson said he was keen for a swift return to management. "You're open to offers, which is why I'm suited and booted and I am looking forward to the next challenge," he said. "If something comes up, you've got to be available for it if it's something you want to do."